System for speed loading, retaining and extracting rimless cartridges in revolver style firearms

ABSTRACT

Revolvers typically require the use of rimmed cartridges to enable loading and retention of ammunition and to eject spent cartridge cases. 
     This invention uses novel modifications to the cartridge ejector head consisting of a fixed cartridge groove engagement node, which when used in conjunction with a novel “speed loader”, specially designed for use with rimless cartridges and the novel ejector head, allows revolvers to use the rimless cartridges normally used in self loading firearms. This system for modifying revolver ejectors for use with rimless cartridges when used in conjunction with this new type of speed loader, makes it possible to quickly load, retain and eject spent cases, using rimless cartridges in revolver style firearms. The design uses a solution that eliminates the need for complex mechanisms in the ejector/cylinder assembly that are prone to the kind of breakage, fouling and wear that require the costly and time consuming services of a professional gunsmith to repair.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to revolver type handguns, which use arotating cylinder to house ammunition for sequenced firing. Revolvertypically use an extractor assembly designed to eject rimmed cartridges,with the cartridges being loaded into the chambers one at a time, orthrough the use of a “speed loader” designed to hold rimmed cartridgesfor simultaneous loading of all chambers in the cylinder. The presentinvention is directed at a system for “speed loading”, retaining, andejecting rimless cartridges, providing an efficient means for utilizingrimless cartridges in revolver type handguns.

BACKGROUND

Cartridges for use in revolvers are designed with a rim at the base ofthe cartridge case, which is larger in diameter than the body of thecase immediately above the rim. When inserted into the chamber of arevolver cylinder, the rim is seated against the back face of thecylinder, holding the cartridge in place, preventing it from fallinginto the cylinder. Typically, an ejector is incorporated into thecylinder assembly, which seats flush with the back of the cylinder andis machined to match the contours of the chambers of the cylinder. Therim on the cartridge protrudes over the back face of the ejector so thatwhen the ejector assembly is depressed rearward, the ejector catches therim, forcing the cartridge cases out of the cylinder chambers.

Cartridges for use in self loading firearms, also referred to as“automatic” or “semi automatic, are designed with a groove near the baseof the cartridge. Such cartridges are ejected through a mechanism whichgrasps the cartridge at the groove to withdraw the cartridge from thechamber. Because cartridges designed for use in self loading firearmslack a rim, they are typically not well suited for use in revolver typehandguns.

In weighing self loading handguns against revolver type handguns, bothhave advantages and disadvantages. Most military and law enforcementpersonnel use self loading firearms because such firearms typically havea greater ammunition capacity. However, self loading firearms are proneto malfunctions due to cartridges failing to feed, fire or eject. Incontrast, while limited in ammunition capacity, revolvers are inherentlymore reliable and are generally less prone to being unintentionallydischarged, making them safer to carry and use. Because of theirreliability, law enforcement officers often carry a revolver as a backupweapon in the event a self loading, service handgun should malfunction.

In recent years, there have been frequent and extended disruptions inthe commercial availability of ammunition. The result is it has becomemore difficult and expensive to maintain a supply of assorted calibersof ammunition. For both individuals and law enforcement personal, thereis an advantage to being able to use the same rimless cartridges used inself loading type firearms in revolvers. When disruptions to ammunitionsupplies do occur, it is the mass produced, rimless cartridges used byNATO countries, such as 9 mm, where supply shortages are cured first. Inresponse, numerous attempts have been made by innovators to facilitatethe use of the more readily available, and generally less expensive,rimless cartridges in revolver type firearms.

The approaches used in prior art generally fall into two categories. Oneconsists of a thin, resilient metal clip, resembling a snowflake, whichare commonly referred to as “moon clips”. These clips consist of aplurality of semi circular openings, sized to retain rimless cartridgeat the base grooves through an interference fit, by snapping cartridgesinto the clips. The clip and retained cartridges are then inserted intothe cylinder assembly, with the moon clip performing the function of therim on rimmed cartridges. The most frequent objection to this approachis the moon clips, being necessarily thin, are prone to deformation andbreakage, in addition to being a small part that is easily lost ormisplaced. U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,082 is an example of this approach.

The the second approach may be summed up as using some type of springloaded mechanism incorporated into the cylinder or ejector assembly thatincorporates retractable projections that are displaced when cartridgesare inserted into the cylinder chambers. The retractable projectionsthen snap into the base grooves of rimless cartridges when the groovereaches a point of being aligned with the mechanism. U.S. Pat. Nos.4,541,193, 4,015,356, 4,127,955, 5,341,587 and U.S. Patent applicationUS 2014/0059912 A1 are examples of this approach. These solutions arevariously bulky, excessively complex, are prone to the wear inherent inmoving parts and, may malfunction as a result of a build up of powerresidue and solvent fouling or breakage. If/when these devices fail,repair service by a competent gunsmith is required. This approachsuffers from the additional disadvantage of an absence of speed loadersdesigned for use with rimless cartridges.

Loading the individual chambers of a revolver cylinder, one at a time byhand, is a task many users find to be tedious and unnecessarily timeconsuming. Numerous approaches have been used in prior art over theyears to address the need for a system to simultaneously load all of thechambers of revolver style firearms. An early example may be found inU.S. Pat. No. 394,374, published in 1888. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,363,8455,621,998, 4,614,053, 4,229,896, 4,065,868, 8,136,285, 4,507,889,4,866,870 and 4,862,622 are further examples of the various approachesused in prior art. Without exception, inherent in the designs used inall prior art is some mechanism for locking cartridges into a fixedposition. This is generally accomplished through a system for containingthe cartridges in a fixed pattern, combined with a mechanism for usingthe rim on rimmed cartridges to secure cartridges in that pattern untilsubsequently released.

What is needed is a solution that eliminates the need for complex,moving parts incorporated into the design of cylinder and ejectorassemblies, provides a means for speed loading the revolver when usingrimless cartridges and, which provides a means to quickly andeconomically return the firearm to full functionality in the event ofwear, without requiring the services of an experienced gunsmith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first object of the present invention is to provide a means of usingrimless cartridges in revolver type firearms, which typically requirethe use of rimmed cartridges.

The second object is to provide a novel, simplified approach to thedesign of the ejector head that is superior to the type of complexejector assemblies used in prior art to load, retain and eject rimlesscartridges.

The third object is to provide a novel speed loading device, whichallows for faster loading and, which performs the necessary function ofspring mechanisms externally, independent of the firearm, where suchfunctions have been incorporated into ejector/cylinder assemblies offirearms in prior art. By allowing the function of springs to beperformed externally by use of the specially designed speed loader, theneed for spring loaded mechanisms in the ejector or cylinder assembly iseliminated.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved throughincorporating fixed, nonmoving protrusions into the head design of theextractor, with said protrusions sized and shaped to positively engagethe base groove of rimless cartridges. Similar protrusions areincorporated into the design of a novel speed loading device, incombination with fixed surfaces and surfaces under spring tension. Thespeed loader is sized to allow the bullet portion of cartridges to bealigned with the cylinder chambers, at a depth that does not allow thecartridge case to enter the chamber. When the ejector assembly isdepressed, the protrusions on the ejector head displaces the cartridgestoward the outside circumference of the speed loader, disengaging thecartridges from the protrusions in the speed loader and, with thecartridges held in place at the floor of the speed loader housing, theejector head depresses the central retainer, allowing the protrusions onthe ejector head to engage the cartridge grooves, with the cartridgesthen being drawn into the cylinder chambers by the extractor assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the presentinvention and, together with the descriptions, serve to explain theprincipals of the invention through the embodiments. The embodimentsillustrated should not be read to constitute limiting requirements, astheir intended purpose is limited to assisting the reader inunderstanding the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the component parts of the speedloader portion of the invention and the order of assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway, perspective view showing the ejector head portionof the invention and how it engages the groove in rimless cartridges.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing features of the central retainer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing features of the outer retainers.

FIG. 5 is an elevation, sectional view showing the speed loader alignedwith the cylinder assembly in preparation for loading.

FIG. 6 is an elevation, sectional view showing the spring actionoccurring when the ejector head displaces the cartridges prior toengaging the cartridge grooves.

FIG. 7 is an elevation, sectional view showing the spring actionoccurring when the ejector head engages the cartridge grooves.

FIG. 8 is an elevation, sectional view showing the mechanical action ofthe ejector head drawing the cartridges into the cylinder.

FIG. 9 is an elevation, sectional view showing the mechanical action ofthe ejector head ejecting spent cartridge cases from the cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the present invention describes in detail certain embodiments,it is understood that variations and modifications exist, known to thoseskilled in the art to which this invention applies that are within thescope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is intended toencompass all such alternatives, modifications and variations that arewithin the scope of the invention as set forth herein. Specificterminology used in the description of specific embodiments is for thepurpose of illustration and not to limit the scope of the invention.

The primary operating principal of this invention is based on the factthat while an ejector head equipped with fixed projections, designed toengage the groove at the base of rimless cartridges, cannot operate withthe ejector head positioned flush against the back face of the cylinderon revolver style firearms, when said ejector head is used inconjunction with the novel speed loading device described herein, saidspeed loader makes it possible to hold rimless cartridges in a positionthat allows such an ejector head of this design to engage the cartridgesat a distance beyond the back face of the cylinder in a manner thatallows for loading, retention and ejection of rimless cartridges in arevolver style firearm.

The invention consists of a speed loader assembly (FIG. 1) and anejector head (FIG. 2-8), which incorporates a stationary cartridgegroove engagement node (FIG. 2-9) in the design, to be machined, orotherwise incorporated into the ejector head design.

The speed loader assembly (FIG. 1) consists of the following parts:

A. A speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1), sized to allow rimlesscartridges to be roughly aligned in the cylinder when placed against theback face of the cylinder assembly, so as to position the cartridges ata distance from the cylinder that is less than the point where thecartridge cases (FIG. 2-10) enter the cylinder (FIG. 5).

B. A central cartridge retainer (FIG. 1-2) which incorporates multiplesemi circular (or less) shaped depressions (FIG. 3-12) with cartridgegroove engagement nodes (FIG. 3-13), said depressions being equal innumber to the cylinder capacity, and which are shaped to engage andretain rimless cartridges at the base of the cartridges (FIG. 2-11). Thecentral retainer is held in place under spring tension (FIG. 1-5), whichallows it to be displaced toward the base of the speed loader when actedupon by the mechanical force of the extractor head (FIG. 2-8) beingpressed against it.

C. Multiple outer retainers (FIG. 1-3), equal in number to the cylindercapacity. The outer retainers have a semi circular (or less) shaped face(FIG. 4-14), sized fit the curvature of the cartridge being used. Theouter retainers are equipped with tabs (FIG. 4-15) which sit flushagainst the outer face of the speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1) whenin a free load state, and are placed under spring tension so as toproject into the speed loader assembly at a depth that when measuredfrom the face of the corresponding central retainer depression is lessthan the diameter of the cartridge base. The outer retainers fit intoopenings provided in the speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1) and arefitted with a groove (FIG. 4-16), to accommodate a snap ring (FIG. 1-6),said snap ring providing the spring tension that controls the movementof the outer retainers.

D. A base plate (FIG. 1-4), which holds a spring (FIG. 1-5) in placeagainst the central retainer (FIG. 1-2), which is attached to the speedloader housing body (FIG. 1-1) with screws (FIG. 1-7).

The speed loader housing body (FIG. 1-1), the central retainer (FIG.1-2), the outer retainers (FIG. 1-3) and the base plate (FIG. 1-4) maybe manufactured from plastic or any other durable material, using commonindustry technology, including, but not limited to, 3D printing,injection molding, casting and machining. In using 3D printingtechnology, a CAD (computer aided design) software program is used todesign the parts, with the resulting design exported in a file formatreadable by a 3D printer. The 3D printer then reads the files andmanufactures the parts, using plastics, resins or other durablematerials. The extractor head (FIG. 2-8) is manufactured from steel,steel alloys, or other suitable materials, using industry standardmachining practices. The hardware parts used in constructing the speedloader (FIG. 1), i.e. screws (FIG. 1-7), snap rings (FIG. 1-6) andsprings (FIG. 1-5) are readily available from various commercialsuppliers.

To load cartridges into the speed loader; the cartridges are simplypressed into the device until they snap into place (FIG. 5). Thecartridges are held in place under spring tension between the outerretainers (FIG. 1-3) and the inner retainer (FIG. 1-2), and by thecartridge groove engagement node (FIG. 3-13).

To load the revolver cylinder (FIG. 5-18), the speed loader is placedagainst the back face of the revolver's cylinder, with the cartridgesroughly aligned with the cylinder chambers (FIG. 5). The ejectorassembly (FIG. 6-17) is then depressed, which causes the cartridges tobe displaced toward the outside edge of the device (FIG. 6). When theejector head (FIG. 6-17) reaches the top of the central retainer (FIG.6-2), the cartridge groove engagement nodes (FIG. 6-9) on the ejectorcauses the cartridge groove engagement nodes on the central retainer todisengage. The ejector is then depressed further (FIG. 7), causing thecentral retainer (FIG. 7-2) to be displaced toward the base of the speedloader, allowing the ejection grooves on the cartridges (FIG. 2-11) toengage the cartridge groove engagement nodes (FIG. 7-9) on the ejectorhead (FIG. 7-8). When the ejector is then withdrawn from the

1. A system for speed loading, retaining and extracting rimlesscartridges in revolver style firearms, consisting of a) an ejector headequipped with fixed projections designed to engage the extraction grooveat the base of rimless cartridges and, b) a speed loading devicedesigned to be used in conjunction with an ejector head equipped withprojections designed to engage the extraction groove at the base ofrimless cartridges.
 2. The ejector head of claim 1 wherein the ejectorhead has multiple projections machined into that surfaces of the ejectorhead that are aligned with the cylinder chambers, and in which saidprojections are sized and shaped to engage the groove at the base ofrimless cartridges, wherein said projections extend radially into thearea above the cylinder chambers at the loading face of the cylinder. 3.The speed loader of claim 1 wherein said speed loader is comprised of aspeed loader housing body, a central retainer, multiple outer retainersequal in number to the cylinder capacity of the revolver, a snap ringused to retain the outer retainers and to place spring tension on saidouter retainers, a spring used to place spring tension on the centralretainer and a base plate secured to the speed loader housing body. 4.The outer retainers of claim 3 wherein said retainers are equipped withtabs designed to define a limited range of displacement relative to thecenter of the speed loader.
 5. The outer retainers and central retainerof claim 3 wherein the outer retainers project into the speed loaderunder spring tension, at a distance of less than the diameter of thecartridge base from the central retainer, so as to apply retainingpressure against the surface of the cartridge base, and wherein theretaining surface of the central retainer is provided with a projectiondesigned to engage the groove at the base of rimless cartridges.
 6. Thecentral retainer of claim 3 wherein the central retainer is positionedin the speed loader under spring tension, allowing the central retainerto be displaced toward the base of the speed loader when mechanicalforce is applied to the central retainer by the ejector head.
 7. Thespeed loader of claim 1 or the combination of factors of claims 4, 5 and6 wherein the spring tension applied to the surface of cartridges by theouter retainers and, the displacement of the central retainer by theextractor head of claim 2, causes the projections on the extractor headto align with and engage the extraction grooves on rimless cartridges,whereby the cartridges are subsequently drawn into the cylinder by theextractor head so as to load the chambers, retain the cartridges infiring position and, to eject the spent cartridge cases after use.